Fabregas bids tearful farewell to English football

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas bid a tearful farewell to the Stamford Bridge crowd on Saturday as he closes in on a move to Monaco. The 31-year-old started against Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup third-round tie, wearing the captain’s armband for the Blues.

Fabregas had the perfect opportunity to sign off with a goal, but he saw a 30th-minute penalty saved by Forest goalkeeper Luke Steele.

With Chelsea up 2-0 late in the game, Fabregas was given a chance to say farewell to the Blues faithful as he was subbed off by manager Maurizio Sarri.

Fabregas embraced team-mate David Luiz before taking his time exiting the pitch, applauding the Stamford Bridge crowd.

Fabregas saw his playing time diminish this season, as Sarri prefers to use Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic ahead of the Spaniard in his system.

After moving from Barcelona in 2014, Fabregas has spent four and a half seasons with the Blues, winning two league titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup.

He will join a Monaco side managed by his former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry. The principality side is in the midst of a difficult season, sitting second from bottom in Ligue 1